Surah
Juz
This chapter contains various rules and guidance sent down at different times. Most of these rules were revealed during the Prophet's ﷺ later years in Medina. For example, verse 4 was revealed regarding the Bani Tamim tribe. They came to Medina in the ninth year after Hijrah and called out to the Prophet ﷺ from outside his wives' quarters. Similarly, verse 6 was revealed concerning Walid bin Uqbah, who the Prophet ﷺ sent to collect Zakat from the Bani al-Mustaliq tribe. Walid had embraced Islam after the conquest of Mecca, as many reliable hadith confirm.
This chapter teaches Muslims how to behave as true believers, especially in the first five verses which focus on respecting God and His Messenger ﷺ. It advises not to believe everything heard without careful consideration. When hearing news about someone or a group, it's important to verify its reliability before reacting. Additionally, it instructs on handling disputes among Muslims peacefully and warns against behaviours that harm relationships, like mocking, gossiping, or backbiting. It condemns harmful attitudes based on nationality, tribe, or pride, emphasising that all people are equal descendants of Adam and Eve, and superiority comes from piety, not heritage. Lastly, it emphasises true faith isn't just words but sincere belief, obedience to God and His Messenger ﷺ, and dedicating oneself and resources to God's cause. True believers act on these principles, while those who only claim Islam verbally without genuine belief and action won't truly be considered believers by God.
